BEDFORD – A Heltonville woman was arrested Sunday morning on charges of domestic battery and criminal mischief after allegedly becoming aggressive and damaging property at a relative’s home in Bedford.
Audra Jane Mason, 35, was taken into custody by the Bedford Police Department following the incident.
BPD officers were dispatched to the 16 block of 32nd Street residence at 11:55 a.m. on October 26, after a caller reported an unwanted person who was refusing to leave.
According to the probable cause affidavit, upon arrival, Sgt. Trevor Shelhart saw a man frantically waving officers toward the house. The man told Sgt. Shelhart, “She’s trying to get my guns.”
Sgt. Shelhart entered the home and heard screaming coming from a back bedroom. Inside, the officer found an older female sitting on the floor next to the bed, with Audra Mason seated behind her. Mason was quickly detained and handcuffed.
Sgt. Shelhart recognized Audra Mason from two prior, separate interactions earlier in the same shift, where she was described as being intoxicated, belligerent, and aggressive. While secured in the patrol car, she reportedly continued to scream and kick the side window protectors.
The male told police that Audra Mason, his granddaughter, had arrived at the house, was let in, and then started acting erratically and “tearing stuff up.” He stated he heard her trying to get to his guns, which are stored in the back bedroom. When questioned about a windowpane broken in the living room, he told officers it must have happened when Audra was throwing things before the police arrived. Damage to a shelf and a broken glass trinket were also noted in the hallway.
During the struggle to access the gun safe, the male stated that Audra had threatened to harm herself, saying she was trying to get a gun to “kill herself.”
The woman, who was trying to keep Audra away from the safe, stated that Audra scratched her face with her fingernails. Officers observed visible scratches on her face and neck, and she was bleeding, along with redness and swelling. Though the woman initially expressed reluctance to press charges out of fear Audra might lose her job, she confirmed that Audra had caused the injuries. When told Audra would be going to jail for her actions, she replied, “She needs to.” Both the woman and the man ultimately agreed to pursue charges for criminal mischief related to the damaged window and the damaged objects.
Due to her combative and belligerent behavior, Mason was transported directly to the Lawrence County Jail, where she was uncooperative with staff and left in their custody.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
